Chapter 21: Spirit of the Wind

"So, he got away huh?" Alice said disappointedly as the group told her of their experiences after she had fallen into the dark passageway, "Damn."

With her fist clenched in frustration Alice glared down at the cup of lemon tea in her hand, wishing that by some unknown means she could make things better.

"Yeah, at this rate we can do nothing to harm Naraku, thanks to his barrier," Miroku pointed out.

"Well we have to do something, let's think about it for a second. Kakuju, do you have any ideas?" Alice asked the old man who sat next to her.

"Hmm, from what you guys have said I'm guessing that your powers weren't strong enough to break the barrier," Kakuju started, "But if you still wish to continue to fight, then I might know of a way."

"Really? Please tell us!" Sango replied as everyone eagerly nodded in agreement.

"Okay then, I will tell you. As you might've noticed, Rindoh Village sits at the base of the mountain known as Mount Houoh. In order to break the barrier of your enemy, you must first scale the mountain and locate the tree that bears the Magatama fruit."

"A Magatama fruit… Okay, but why the fruit, how will it help us break Naraku's barrier?" Kagome asked as everyone stood up to get ready to leave.

"Once you return with the fruit I will tell you how to use the technique that will break the barrier," Kakuju replied simply.

"Great then we'll be back in a few," Alice called as she headed towards the door.

"Wait," Kakuju called as he grabbed Alice's arm to stop her, "First I must tell you something that could benefit you in your fight against your enemy."

"I'm listening," Alice stated interest glowing in her eyes.

"It is clear to me that you have succeeded in preforming the Miracle of Light ritual, but as I told you it would come with great dangers but I forgot to mention the benefits of it as well, the benefits that directly affect the user."

"What do you mean?" Alice asked as Kakuju continued, "What I mean is that now that you have successfully endured the technique your body is now immune to the toxins that you've purified. If you come into contact with that poison again you won't be affected as you were before the ritual."

"Really? That's great!" Alice exclaimed jumping in the air in happiness, "No more miasma problems for me!"

"Yes, now you can fight against Naraku without worrying about his miasma," Shippo added as everyone smiled at the newly found information before Inuyasha impatiently growled, "Let's get going already!"

Alice giggled as she followed the hanyou out the door and towards Mount Houoh.

"I've heard rumors about Mount Houoh other monks," Miroku began as they walked through the village, "It seems like the mountain itself is protected by the Spirit of the Wind and the only way to pass is to prove you are pure in heart, after all it is a sacred mountain in which many monks gather to train."

"Keh, whatever as long as we can get that fruit I don't care what tests this so called spirit gives me, I'll pass them all," Inuyasha boasted.

"There it is," Sango pointed out as the group reached the edge of the village and looked up at the huge mountain.

"Ahh," Kagome said as she took a deep breath in, "This is amazing, I can feel the cool, crisp air even from down here."

"I guess that since it's a sacred mountain I wouldn't be surprised if there's something that can bring down Naraku's barrier," Miroku pointed out.

"Quit talking and let's go already," Inuyasha cut in impatiently as Shippo agreed, "Yeah!"

They then walked up the trail that led to the top of the mountain until Alice spotted an old looking building ahead and asked, "Hey, what's that?"

As the group came to a halt at the old building Miroku explained, "This is the hut where monks stay when they hone and sharpen their spiritual powers."

"What a dump," Shippo muttered as Miroku, who clearly heard the kitsune's comment, responded as a matter-of-factly, "Well monks don't need luxury to get by, they only need a good roof above their heads to keep them warm and dry when the weather turns for the worst."

"Yeah, we can also stay here if we are ever in the area, so it's a good find," Kagome pointed out.

"Right," Sango agreed.

Alice was just about to agree when she felt a strong pulse of energy flow through her. Huh? Almost against her will, Alice felt herself walk, in what felt like a trance, pass everyone and towards a cliff that was nearby the house.

Just barely she heard Inuyasha complain, "What now, let's go already!"

This cliff… Alice thought as she stretched out a hand to touch it.

"Hey Alice, what're you doing? Let's go, we're wasting daylight," Inuyasha called out.

His words seemed to free Alice from her trance as she pulled her hand back and murmured while still staring at the cliff, "This cliff, something's not right about it… I sense something weird but at the same time familiar from it..."

"Hmm? I don't sense anything at all, are you sure?" Shippo asked as he jumped up onto Alice's shoulder and looked around.

"Indeed, it does appear to be just your average cliff. But then again, something is off about it, after all there is a faint wind blowing from it," Sango stated as Kagome nodded in agreement.

"Whatever, we need to hurry! The faster we get that fruit the faster we'll be in defeating Naraku," Inuyasha growled as he headed down the trail.

Alice and the others nodded before catching up to Inuyasha just in time to come face to face with an opening in the mountain.

Inuyasha then lead the group through the cave by using his sense of smell as a guide to reach the exit. Once out Alice moved to the front of the group and stared out in awe at the view.

"Wow, this sure is something," she stated as the wind blew her hair around her.

"Here, climb on Kirara and we'll fly up the rest of the mountain, it's a lot faster this way," Sango offered as she and Miroku climbed onto the cat demon.

After seeing Kagome get on Inuyasha's back, Alice took Miroku's hand and sat behind him as Kirara took to the air and flew up the mountain, closely followed by Inuyasha.

Once at the top, Alice jumped off of Kirara, who transformed back into her smaller form, and ran ahead of the group until she faced a sheer mountain cliff.

"Wow, the pressure at this altitude is really something, my body feels so much heavier than it did before," Shippo stated as Miroku added, "The wind's getting fiercer, but it's strange…"

Miroku was cut off as a massive gust of wind blew around the group, forcing them back a few feet.

"Ahh, help!" Shippo yelled as Alice glanced back to see that the tiny kitsune was almost airborne.

"Shippo!" Alice yelled as she grabbed his furry tail the moment he flew into the air.

As Alice stood her ground while holding onto Shippo, Inuyasha was busy protecting Kagome while Sango and Miroku both helped each other to stand up against the harsh wind. Where's this coming from? Alice thought as she looked around.

"What's that?" Sango yelled above the wind, just in time for Alice to spot a glowing orb appear before the group.

"You who have stepped onto this sacred mountain, state your purpose or leave immediately!" the spirit commanded.

"Are you the Spirit of the Wind that guards this mountain?" Miroku asked as the spirit replied, "Indeed, I am. Now state your purpose!"

After another strong burst of wind Alice yelled, "We've come for a Magatama fruit if you must know."

"A Magatama fruit? Many mortals have come here seeking the fruit and it's powers, but so far none have been worthy of it," the spirit replied, "You must have more than just power to possess it. You're required to have a pure heart and courage to obtain the fruit and its powers."

"Very well then, I'm sure we are worthy of the fruit, now please show us where we may find it," Kagome stated.

"Ha, I'll go first!" Inuyasha yelled as he jumped forward, leaving Kagome to hold onto Alice's arm, only to be blown straight back where he was moments ago.

"What the?" Inuyasha started before Miroku called out, "Wait Inuyasha, we must go together, less we get blown of the mountain. Remember what Kakuju said to us way back then? We are stronger when we work together, and if we stand together now I'm sure we'll be able to pass through."

After a nod from everyone, Miroku started forward as the rest filed in behind him, each supporting the person in front of them.

"Stay strong!" Sango yelled as the wind blew ever stronger, threatening to blow them all off the mountain.

"Almost there…" Miroku stated as Alice closed her eyes and gave it everything she had.

"There!" The moment the words left Miroku's mouth, the fierce wind vanished, causing everyone to tumble down onto the monk.

"Ugh," Alice grumbled as she held her head with one hand.

"You have proven to me that your intentions are pure, now proceed and take what you have come for," the spirit commanded before vanishing with the wind.

Alice smiled as she quickly got up and called out over her shoulder as she ran, "Let's get a fruit!"

As she turned the corner of the mountain, Alice spotted a small tree growing on the edge of the mountain.

"So this is the Magatama tree Kakuju was talking about… It's beautiful," Kagome said in awe as they stared at the glowing tree.

"It seems like the light is coming from the tree itself," Sango pointed out as Miroku added, "Yes, this proves that it has some sort of spiritual power."

"Yeah," Alice agreed as she reached towards the tree to grab a fruit.

She then grabbed one of the soft, small, green fruits in her hand and gently pulled it off the branch it was on.

"There, let's head back to Kakuju now," Alice said as she turned towards the others, who were already one step in front of her and were waiting for her to jump onto Kirara.

Alice smiled as she got onto Kirara and the group quickly descended the mountain.

"Wow, that was a lot quicker than going up," Shippo said happily as they arrived at the entrance of Rindoh Village in less than ten minutes.

"Yeah, it was," Alice agreed as they headed towards the hut the left Kakuju in.

"Kakuju, we're back and we've got the fruit too," Alice greeted as she entered the hut to find Kakuju talking to its owner.

"Well that was fast," Kakuju chuckled as Shippo stated, "Well it wasn't easy I was almost tossed of the cliff!"

"Yes, but you managed to earn the Spirit of the Wind's trust and retrieve a Magatama fruit. That in itself is a great accomplishment," Kakuju praised the group.

"Now what?" Inuyasha asked eagerly.

Kakuju chuckled before turning to Alice and saying, "Are you ready to learn how to break a barrier?"

"Yes," Alice replied excitedly as she walked over to Kakuju and placed her hands on his shoulders and closed her eyes, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

After a few minutes of silence, Alice felt her hair being lightly tossed around her head as her Shikigami flared out to meet Kakuju's. Once both Shikigami made contact with one another, Alice felt her Shikigami grow in power as it flowed back into her, granting her the power to break any barrier.

When Alice opened her eyes Kakuju started, "Great, now you should be able to take down any barrier in your path."

"If there's no barrier then we can easily defeat Naraku," Kagome said excitedly as Alice thanked Kakuju and stepped back in her place among the group.

"This time we'll destroy Naraku for good," Inuyasha put in happily.

"It looks to me like your enemy is pretty strong, so be very careful on your journey," Kakuju warned the group.

"Don't worry, we'll be fine," Alice reassured the old man.

"Let's get going, it's still bright out and we might as well get a head start on our journey back to the castle," Sango stated as she turned to the exit of the hut.

"She's right, we must get going. Stay safe Kakuju," Miroku called as he and Sango left the hut.

"See you later!" Alice called as she followed the others out of the hut. "Stay safe!" Kakuju called after them.

/././././././

"Are we there yet?" Alice complained as the group walked along the forest path that led to the Castle Town.

"For the hundredth time, no!" Inuyasha growled back at her, "Good Kami, you're just as annoying as when I first met you!"

"Well sorry, it's not like the past three days have gone by fast for me," Alice muttered as she turned her head away from Inuyasha.

"Don't worry Alice, we're almost there. Just a little father and we'll be at the Castle Town," Kagome said sympathetically as she laid a gentle hand on Alice's shoulder.

Alice looked at Kagome, feeling grateful for her support when a wave of uneasiness rushed through her.

"Did you feel that?" Sango murmured as everyone flinched at the sudden disturbance.

"Yeah, and I can tell you that it's nothing good whatever it is," Miroku replied darkly.

"Let's hurry and get to the Castle Town," Kagome said as they all ran towards the direction of the town.

Almost there… Alice thought before she and the others came to a screeching halt.

"Oh kami no…" Alice whispered.

The one peaceful, bright town that had greeted them when they first arrived was now long gone. In its place stood a dark, desolate town where not even a speck of life echoed throughout the battered streets.


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